UK girl's name
Soley
A feminine name of Old Norse origin meaning "the sun's ray".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Soley is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Soley popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 6 births.
This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2023 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Soley is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Soley. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Soley ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 6 girls were registered as Soley.
- • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Soley as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3695
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2024
6 births
Estimated living
11
2026
Meaning
What does Soley mean?
The name Soley is believed to have its origins in the Old Norse language, originating from the regions of Scandinavia during the Viking Age, which spanned from the late 8th century to the late 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "sóli," which means "sun" or "sunshine," reflecting the importance of the sun in Norse mythology and culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Soley can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of narratives dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. In these sagas, Soley was often used as a feminine name, possibly symbolizing the warmth and radiance associated with the sun.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Soley. One such person was Soley Thorkelsdottir (1858-1936), an Icelandic writer and poet known for her contributions to the country's literary landscape. Her works often explored themes of nature, love, and the struggles of everyday life.
Another significant figure was Soley Kristjansdottir (1908-1996), an Icelandic actress and theater director who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Icelandic theater. Her performances and direction captivated audiences and left a lasting impact on the country's cultural scene.
In the realm of politics, Soley Tómasdóttir (1937-2021) was an Icelandic politician and women's rights activist who served as a member of the Icelandic parliament (Althingi) for several terms. She was a vocal advocate for gender equality and played a crucial role in shaping policies that advanced women's rights in Iceland.
Soley Fidjeland (born 1990) is a contemporary Icelandic actress and model who has gained recognition for her roles in various Icelandic television series and films. Her talent and versatility have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated following in her home country and beyond.
Lastly, Soley Birgisdottir (born 1988) is an Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician. Her unique blend of indie-pop and folk styles has captivated audiences worldwide, and she has released several albums that showcase her songwriting talents and distinctive vocal abilities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Soley over time
The chart below shows babies named Soley registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2023 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Soley, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Soley by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Soley was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3876 | 11 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Soley
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Soley: questions and answers
How popular is the name Soley in the UK right now?
In 2024, Soley was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Soley most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 6 babies registered as Soley in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Soley?
A feminine name of Old Norse origin meaning "the sun's ray".
How many people are called Soley in the UK?
A total of 11 babies have been registered as Soley across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.